Diversity and Population Dynamics of Odonata (Insecta: Odonata) in Rice Growing Area of Central Gujarat
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Journal of Biological Control, 30(3): 149-157, 2016, DOI: 10.18311/jbc/2016/15597 Research Article Diversity and population dynamics of Odonata (Insecta: Odonata) in rice growing area of central Gujarat V. B. ROHMARE*, DARSHANA M. RATHOD, and B. M. PARASHARYA AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand - 388110, Gujarat, India *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Odonates diversity was studied in Paddy field of central Gujarat during 2012 to 2015. Total 39 species belonging to 25 genera, under six families and two suborders were recorded. Total 17 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 22 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Community structure and population dynamics of adult odonates were studied at Lingda village during July to December, 2012 through monitoring their population by point count method on three microhabitats (paddy field, village pond and fish farm). Total seventeen species were encounterd in the point count. Diversity index (H’) was highest (2.13) for paddy fields followed by fish farm (2.07) and village pond (1.99). Evenness value of the odonates also ranged between 0.7 and 0.8. Total four species (Viz. Ditch Jewel (25.0%), Green Marsh Hawk (17%), Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Coromandal Marsh Dart (16% each) were dominant species in all three microhabitats. Both the suborders Anisoptera (dragonfly) and Zygoptera (damselfly) showed similar trend of population fluctuation during the study. Relative abundance was higher and remained constant during 4th week of September to 2nd week of October. KEY WORDS: Central Gujarat, damselfly, diversity, dragonfly, odonates, paddy crop (Oryza sativa L.), population dynamics (Article chronicle: Received:15-07-2016; Revised: 11-09-2016; Accepted: 18-09-2016) INTRODUCTION fields that if conserved, can play an effective role in de- creasing the pest population density (Mohyuddin, 1990; Globally 5,952 species of odonates are known and of Bonhofet al., 1997). Larva and adults Odonata are consid- this 474 species in 142 genera and 18 families exist in In- ered efficient predators in the rice fields (Heinrichs, 1994; dia (Subramanian, 2014). Information about the odonates Alonso Mejia and Marquez, 1994). The carnivorous and vo- of Gujarat state is documented by Prasad (2004), Rohmare racious odonate larvae occupy at the apex of food chain of et al. (2015) and Rathod et al. (2016a; 2016b; 2016c). Total invertebrate life in aquatic ecosystem (Siregar et al., 2010). 42 species of odonates are recorded from Central Gujarat and 80 from entire Gujarat state. Though the entire order The quantitative field data necessary for understand- is predacious and hence important biocontrol agents of in- ing odonate population dynamics in paddy crop are scarce. sect pests (Rathod and Parasharya, 2014; 2015), there is no To fill up the gaps in our knowledge about the diversity of information (species list) available on the odonates avail- Odonata in the paddy crop agro-ecosystems of Central Gu- able in the paddy crop agro-ecosystems in Gujarat. Even jarat, the present study was planned. Anand district of Cen- at national level, hardly something is known about the odo- tral Gujarat is having its rice fields irrigated by the canals of nate diversity in paddy crop agroecosystem (Gunathilagaraj Mahi right bank canal system (MRBS) and associated stor- et al., 1999; Kandibane et al., 2003; 2005; Anbalagan age tanks, should be very rich in odonate diversity. Paddy et al., 2013; Sathe and Shinde, 2014). (Oryza sativa) crop agro-ecosystem is the ideal habitat for the dragonflies. Since the paddy is being grown in almost Several pests cause damage and yield loss on paddy all the districts of Central Gujarat, odonate diversity was crop (Datta and Khush, 2002). Pesticides can control many expected to be very high. Dragonflies are known as the of the rice pests, but because of environmental risks, crop predators of small insects and hence it was worth identify- infection and killing of beneficial insects (natural enemies ing each species occurring in paddy crop agroecosystem and pollinators) are not efficient and safe method (Khan and their population dynamics during the crop period. et al., 1991). There are several natural predators in the rice 149 Diversity and population dynamics of Odonata in rice growing area of central Gujarat MATERIALS AND METHODS The specimens were identified with the help of pho- tographic guides (Emiliyamma et al., 2005; Subramanian, This study was carried out in the agricultural land- 2009; Nair, 2011) and a suitable taxonomic book (Fraser scape of Central Gujarat during July 2011 to December, 1933, 1934, 1936). The scientific names are adopted from 2015. the revised nomenclature by Subramanian (2014). Identifi- cation of specimens was confirmed by Dr. S. S. Talmale at Study area Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur. Anand District is situated between 22º 57’ (N) Lati- tude and 720 93’ (E) Longitude in the central part of Guja- Population dynamics and diversity of odonates rat State. The total area of the district is 2, 94,751 hectares Population dynamics is a study of changes in species which is 1.52 per cent area of Gujarat State. The district composition and their number with reference to time inter- comprises of eight tahsils from the revenue record. Popula- val. To study the changes taking place in their population tion dynamics of adult odonates was studied at Lingda vil- and diversity over a time frame, “point count method” was lage (22.700006N, 73.116694E) of Umreth tahsil in Anand adopted for sampling the area. Study was carried out by us- district. ing the following census method during July to December 2012. A weekly point count were done at the edge of a Kheda and Anand districts which are in the command (1) wetland (village pond), (2) fish farm and (3) across the area of MRBS lies between two major Rivers, Mahisagar paddy fields during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods on the eastern side and Sabarmati on the western side. The (July to December 2012) following the protocol of Small- northen part of the district has common boundary with shire and Beynon (2010). Kheda district. Ahmedabad district is on the western side of River Sabarmati and Vadodara on the eastern side of Odonates were counted at fifteen points in each mi- River Mahisagar. The southern fringe of Central Gujarat is crohabitat at weekly interval. At a fixed point, Adult Odo- attached to the Gulf of Khambhat. The Central Gujarat is nates observed within 3 m radius of visual field were ob- plain land with some hilly area of Dahod and Panchma- served and counted species wise minimum 10 m distance hal districts. The region has typical fertile soil popularly was maintained between two points. Odonate counts were known as “Goradu soil” with loamy sand of alluvial origin. taken during 9.00 to 12.00 hours in the morning (as they The sandy loam soil is known for its productivity. Irriga- are known to be active during morning/ evening hours) on tion facility through Mahi Right Bank Canal is available cloudless day, preferably on Sundays. Counts on all the since 1960 in Kheda and Anand districts and hence, inten- microhabitats were done on same day. Visual identifica- sive cropping is practiced throughout the year. Complex tion was confirmed by collecting a few specimens. Changes network of irrigation canals and associated tanks, village taking place in the number of Odonates encountered dur- ponds and paddy fields provide ideal habitats for the od- ing point count served as an index of population dynamics. onates. Irrigated paddy (Oryza sativa L.) is cultivated in Relative abundance (%) of the species and rate of encounter 4,056 ha area of Anand district during Southwest monsoon or frequency of occurrence (% O and % fi) were worked out (June to September). About 13,090 ha land cover of Anand to determine species dominance and Important Value In- district is under agriculture and no area is classified as pro- dex (Tiple et al., 2012; Obrtel and Holisova, 1974). Species tected or forest land. Umreth tahsil in which population diversity index using Shannon-Weiner formula (Shannon, dynamics of odonate was monitored, about 30% land was 1948) and equitability worked out (Krebs, 1975) for each under paddy cultivation. time period as well as entire cropping season. General inventory RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This study was done during 2012 to 2015. Intensive surveys were done during South-West monsoon (July to General inventory in paddy fields November). Adult, free flying Odonates were collected Total 39 species belonging to 25 genera, under six from the shallow edge of the wetland using standard in- families and two suborders were recorded from paddy crop sect net. The specimens were preserved in 70% alcohol and in Central Gujarat. Total 17 species of Zygoptera (damsel- kept separate by placing them in envelopes, labelled prop- flies) and 22 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were -re erly with details like species, date and place of collection. corded. This list does not include species which are habi- Extra specimens were preserved dry following standard tat specialist occurring in streams, rivers, forest and salty procedure. wetland. Zygoptera was represented by three families and Anisoptera was represented by three families (Table 1). 150 ROHMARE, et al Table 1. Odonata of rice growing areas of Central Gujarat Taxon Common name Suborder: Zygoptera Superfamily :Lestoidea Family :Lestidae Lestes thoracicus Laidlaw, 1920 Lestes umbrinus Selys, 1891 Brown